To be officially unveiled at GDC later today, OnLive's technology bypasses physical media by streaming gameplay data to Windows or Apple platforms, as well as televisions. Videogames both old and new on the service can work on a users' desired screen, regardless of whether the game was made for Mac or PC. For TV-compatibility, a small "MicroConsole" is required, a unit that's about the size of a deck of cards.
The games are not actually installed on a computer--game data is relayed back and forth between the user's computer and powerful servers, according to a USA Today report, marginalizing the importance of the power of a gamer's "rig."
Games shown to utilize the service include Far Cry, LEGO Batman and Mirror's Edge. Sixteen are on display at GDC. There's already support from major publishers: Atari, Codemasters, Electronic Arts, Eidos, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive Software, THQ, Ubisoft and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment are on board. Reports state that games run extremely well.
The firm has a solid relationship with Gears of War developer Epic Games, as Unreal Engine 3 is compatible with OnLive. UE3-based games will "easily run on the OnLive service," the company said.
OnLive said only "a few weeks" are needed to bring an existing version of a game to OnLive.
Games would launch in the same "release window" as retail, says OnLive COO Steve Perlman. "There's no physical media. It's an all-digital platform. You never need to upgrade your equipment at home."
Also part of OnLive is a live community that allows users to record and share clips, watch live games happening in action, the ability to jump into a game at any point and other social networking features.
The pricing for the service is to be announced. If too prohibitive, it could kill the service before it has the chance to gain traction.
OnLive has been in development for seven years, only emerging this week. The service launches in winter and will be available in a "variety of different pricing packages and tiers, competitively priced to retail."
Said IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon, "The service would be an anti-piracy solution and would enable quality gameplay experiences without the cost of a game console or high performance PC."
Update: Added additional info from OnLive.